Technical reports

A lot of science and community knowledge exists about the water needs of plants and animals in rivers and wetlands. Using this knowledge, specific studies have identified the types of flows a particular river needs or the wetting and drying patterns needed by a wetland.

Flow studies tell us about the timing, watering duration and amount of water needed by native plants and animals. Many flow studies have been developed for rivers and wetlands that receive environmental water.

Environmental water management plans are also developed. These plans use the flow studies and help guide watering of rivers and wetlands that receive environmental water.

Below is a list of available flow studies and environmental water management plans.

Western region

Environmental water in the western region is shared between the Wimmera and Glenelg systems and the Wimmera–Mallee wetlands. Important waterways that receive environmental water include sections

of the Glenelg, Wimmera and MacKenzie rivers and Mount William, Burnt and Bungalally creeks, as well as priority wetlands formerly supplied by the Wimmera–Mallee channel system.

Northern region

The northern region has a vital network of rivers, wetlands and floodplains that provide homes for ancient river red gums and a diversity of other plants and animals. Priority sites include the Goulburn, Broken, Loddon and Campaspe rivers as well as wetlands and floodplains on these systems and on the Victorian Murray system, including

Barmah Forest, Gunbower Forest, Hattah Lakes and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra islands. Loddon and Campaspe rivers as well as wetlands and floodplains on these systems and on the Victorian Murray system, including Barmah Forest, Gunbower Forest, Hattah Lakes and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra islands.

Central region

There are six systems that can receive environmental water in the central region – the Yarra and Tarago in the east and the Werribee, Maribyrnong, Moorabool and Barwon (lower Barwon wetlands) in the west.